Pip Pols

At this restaurant we strived to excellent customer services! Greeting and seat guests promptly, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere in a high-volume restaurant. Manage reservations and waitlists using an online reservation system. Optimizing seating arrangements for maximum efficiency. Provide detailed menu knowledge, making recommendations and accommodating dietary restrictions. Provide attentive service to guests, ensuring timely order taking and food delivery. Process payments accurately and efficiently, ensuring a smooth checkout experience. Strong communication and interpersonal skills were required. Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and a knowledge of fine dining etiquette and service standards was essential!

I started working in this restaurant and got into contact with a lot of people. A few months after that I became a floor manager and learned how to make right and fast decisions in stressful situations. It was important that I kept an eye on everything and had to make sure that everything went smoothly. Managing the team on the one hand, but the interaction with the guests also played a major role. Having a nice conversation with guests to make them feel comfortable, to resolving unpleasant situations where you sill want to keep the guests happy. Working in a fast-paced restaurant like this really learns you to set up priorities about the job in your head and thinking forward about the next steps as the work always keeps going. Mentoring new staff members and be very patient as every new staff member has to learn with having little to no experience in working as a server/bartender.

I also took care of orders so that stocks were in order. Here I could also use my barista skills a lot as we had an espresso machine and a coffee grinder to work with!

As a bartender in the busiest nightlife street in The Netherlands I learned to work in a fast-paced work environment as the work always kept going on. You had to make sure that in the meantime you as staff made the most fun so all the guests had a great night. Interaction with the guests was a big part of the job. Knowing what all the regular guests wanted whenever the arrived in the bar and interaction with those regular guests to make sure they always felt comfortable when they would come back! Managing cash flow throughout the shift and ensure an accurate accounting at the end of the shift was an important part.

I started with stacking shelves and I eventually progressed to all departments. I had to ensure that the stock In the supermarket was in order and that the freight was replenished timely. I also needed to make sure that the costumers had a pleasant shopping experience by helping them with a kinds of questions! Maintaining a clean work environment was always essential.